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Awesome thread @TankAbbott
80's WWF Expansion
- Thread starter TankAbbott
- Start date
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- Nov 21, 2013
- Messages
- 9,331
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I have the JYD/Funk and Muraco/Steamboat matches that i recorded when they were aired as "Feature Match" on VHS somewhere in my basement.
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http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-august-1985/
August of 1985 sees...
- The Heenan Family seriously injure Andre the Giant in a violent sneak attack
- The hottest new act in the WWF finds an unlikely manager.
- A babyface pulls a knife on Mean Gene.
- The WWF uses a prop for an injury angle, leading to JR going on Mid-South TV to expose their phony baloney.
- Roddy Piper takes Vince McMahon to his dungeon of doom.
- The WWF's Montreal takeover leads to major issues with talent and the local promoters.
- An all time great manager is spared a tragic end as he avoids a plane crash.
- Plus more news, notes and results from the WWF's takeover of pro wrasslin'!
August of 1985 sees...
- The Heenan Family seriously injure Andre the Giant in a violent sneak attack
- The hottest new act in the WWF finds an unlikely manager.
- A babyface pulls a knife on Mean Gene.
- The WWF uses a prop for an injury angle, leading to JR going on Mid-South TV to expose their phony baloney.
- Roddy Piper takes Vince McMahon to his dungeon of doom.
- The WWF's Montreal takeover leads to major issues with talent and the local promoters.
- An all time great manager is spared a tragic end as he avoids a plane crash.
- Plus more news, notes and results from the WWF's takeover of pro wrasslin'!
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2013
- Messages
- 9,331
- Reaction score
- 836
I never knew about the Hogan/Studd bout at the Ohio State Fair. 50K fans getting to watch WWF for free back then would have been a sweet deal. The Big Event (Hogan/Orndorff) in Toronto a year later in 1986 is probably the most impressive drawing paid event the WWF had when you consider they had 60K plus on a Wednesday.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-august-1985-part-2/
- The AWA loses their top crossover media star, just as they are to embark on national TV
- Politics are put aside as World Class and the AWA share some talent
- Money arguments cause a change in the Twin Cities' AWA main event
- A future convict appears on both AWA and WWF house shows
- A Boston TV special is marred by some of the worst commentary in history.
- NWA champ Ric Flair takes on some of the AWA's top talents as he ventures away from JCP
- Jim Crockett is physically threatened in the locker room as a business deal goes south
- Stan Hansen finds a new ally in Japan
- A monster from Outer Space invades New Japan.
- Paul Heyman promotes his first wrestling event, where he somehow managed to book some of America's biggest wrestling stars to appear at.
- The AWA loses their top crossover media star, just as they are to embark on national TV
- Politics are put aside as World Class and the AWA share some talent
- Money arguments cause a change in the Twin Cities' AWA main event
- A future convict appears on both AWA and WWF house shows
- A Boston TV special is marred by some of the worst commentary in history.
- NWA champ Ric Flair takes on some of the AWA's top talents as he ventures away from JCP
- Jim Crockett is physically threatened in the locker room as a business deal goes south
- Stan Hansen finds a new ally in Japan
- A monster from Outer Space invades New Japan.
- Paul Heyman promotes his first wrestling event, where he somehow managed to book some of America's biggest wrestling stars to appear at.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-august-1985-part-3/
Wrapping up August of 1985 in the world of wrasslin'
- Jerry Lawler struggles to find a partner to battle the Freebirds, leading him to make a deal with the devil
- A new monster heel arrives in Memphis. 30 years later and his identity still creates confusion online.
- A Playboy seeks to make the Florida mat wars a bit more interesting.
- Ric Flair goes racist to build up his title defense against Butch Reed at the Superdome
- A legend is forced to leave his beloved home. Can the new masked man in town shed some light on how to save the day?
- A movie monster reject destroys Dick Murdoch on TV.
- Mike Von Erich endures Toxic Shock after surgery, beginning one of the saddest wrestling stories of the 80's
- Inoki finds a new partner to loan talent from
- Jim Crockett makes moves to insulate power in the NWA for himself.
- A controversial figure who battled being blackballed from the business decides to retire instead of toiling away
- Plus more news, notes and results~!
Wrapping up August of 1985 in the world of wrasslin'
- Jerry Lawler struggles to find a partner to battle the Freebirds, leading him to make a deal with the devil
- A new monster heel arrives in Memphis. 30 years later and his identity still creates confusion online.
- A Playboy seeks to make the Florida mat wars a bit more interesting.
- Ric Flair goes racist to build up his title defense against Butch Reed at the Superdome
- A legend is forced to leave his beloved home. Can the new masked man in town shed some light on how to save the day?
- A movie monster reject destroys Dick Murdoch on TV.
- Mike Von Erich endures Toxic Shock after surgery, beginning one of the saddest wrestling stories of the 80's
- Inoki finds a new partner to loan talent from
- Jim Crockett makes moves to insulate power in the NWA for himself.
- A controversial figure who battled being blackballed from the business decides to retire instead of toiling away
- Plus more news, notes and results~!
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/awa-wrestling-on-espn-9-3-1985/
With the AWA entering the national (cable) TV world on ESPN, I felt it would be interesting to look at an early episode and breakdown what they did right and wrong in their bid to compete with the WWF and JCP.
- One of the AWA announcers is larger than the main event talents.
- How long is too long for a squash match?
- A future creepy criminal covets a championship
- A villian straight off of headlining some WWF shows makes his AWA return
- The worst Road Warriors music video ever!
- Hawk and Animal, now babyfaces, cut a heel promo.
- Champions who are booked don't even bother to show up for a National TV taping.
- A top heel is shown being beaten clean.
- Future ECW and WWF talents find work as jabronis.
- Rick Martel has a big time title defense against Terry Gordy~!
- The Freebirds act is neutered by editing choices.
With the AWA entering the national (cable) TV world on ESPN, I felt it would be interesting to look at an early episode and breakdown what they did right and wrong in their bid to compete with the WWF and JCP.
- One of the AWA announcers is larger than the main event talents.
- How long is too long for a squash match?
- A future creepy criminal covets a championship
- A villian straight off of headlining some WWF shows makes his AWA return
- The worst Road Warriors music video ever!
- Hawk and Animal, now babyfaces, cut a heel promo.
- Champions who are booked don't even bother to show up for a National TV taping.
- A top heel is shown being beaten clean.
- Future ECW and WWF talents find work as jabronis.
- Rick Martel has a big time title defense against Terry Gordy~!
- The Freebirds act is neutered by editing choices.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wwf-boston-garden-9-7-1985/
WWF at the Boston Garden 9/7/85
- Lanny Poffo offers new tricks on wrestling physics
- Cpl. Kirschner defends America against the evil forces of the Swamp People.
- King Kong Bundy cosplays as Dracula.
- Gorilla Monsoon finally finds a wrestler who can apply a proper abdominal stretch!
- Monsoon always offers up why women are inferior athletes
- Haku makes an uninspired debut
- A rather terrible card if your looking for competitive bouts as Hogan defending against Bundy is far and away the most notable encounter
- Greg Valentine has to try and do the wrestling for 5 other guys in the co-main event as he is saddled with old guys and Beefcake.
WWF at the Boston Garden 9/7/85
- Lanny Poffo offers new tricks on wrestling physics
- Cpl. Kirschner defends America against the evil forces of the Swamp People.
- King Kong Bundy cosplays as Dracula.
- Gorilla Monsoon finally finds a wrestler who can apply a proper abdominal stretch!
- Monsoon always offers up why women are inferior athletes
- Haku makes an uninspired debut
- A rather terrible card if your looking for competitive bouts as Hogan defending against Bundy is far and away the most notable encounter
- Greg Valentine has to try and do the wrestling for 5 other guys in the co-main event as he is saddled with old guys and Beefcake.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-wwf-maple-leaf-gardens-9-23-85/
The WWF at Maple Leaf Garden Sept. 1985
- A multi time champion from the Florida territory wallows in the prelims upon his debut
- Dino Bravo cosplays as 1991 Jacques Rougeau
- King Kong Bundy tangles with someone less mobile than he is.
- The Killer Bee's had theme music?!?!?!
- Ricky Steamboat shows great fire as he tears into Don Muraco in a Lumberjack match.
- Haku continues to be a poor babyface.
- Uncle Elmer proves to be the worst worker on the show.
- Lanny Poffo showcases his abilities as he grapples with "Cowboy" Bob Orton
- Jesse Ventura proves to be popular with the fans, even though he is challenging IC champ "Chico" Santana.
The WWF at Maple Leaf Garden Sept. 1985
- A multi time champion from the Florida territory wallows in the prelims upon his debut
- Dino Bravo cosplays as 1991 Jacques Rougeau
- King Kong Bundy tangles with someone less mobile than he is.
- The Killer Bee's had theme music?!?!?!
- Ricky Steamboat shows great fire as he tears into Don Muraco in a Lumberjack match.
- Haku continues to be a poor babyface.
- Uncle Elmer proves to be the worst worker on the show.
- Lanny Poffo showcases his abilities as he grapples with "Cowboy" Bob Orton
- Jesse Ventura proves to be popular with the fans, even though he is challenging IC champ "Chico" Santana.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-cwfs-battle-of-the-belts/
CWF's Battle of the Belts 1!!
- Wahoo McDaniel defies his age as he battles NWA champ Ric Flair in a 3 Fall fight for the gold.
- The Road Warriors have a FIGHT on their hands as they match up with Stan Hansen and Harley Race!
- AWA Champ Rick Martel fails to appear, leading to a poor replacement taking his spot against Nick Bockwinkel
- Cocoa Samoa's crazy life outside of wrestling proves to be more entertaining than his match.
- Rookie sensation Kendall Windham struggles with a jabroni.
- Percy Pringle does his best to entertain us in lieu of the action in the ring.
- A raw Rick Rude shows his potential as he grapples with Billy Jack Haynes.
CWF's Battle of the Belts 1!!
- Wahoo McDaniel defies his age as he battles NWA champ Ric Flair in a 3 Fall fight for the gold.
- The Road Warriors have a FIGHT on their hands as they match up with Stan Hansen and Harley Race!
- AWA Champ Rick Martel fails to appear, leading to a poor replacement taking his spot against Nick Bockwinkel
- Cocoa Samoa's crazy life outside of wrestling proves to be more entertaining than his match.
- Rookie sensation Kendall Windham struggles with a jabroni.
- Percy Pringle does his best to entertain us in lieu of the action in the ring.
- A raw Rick Rude shows his potential as he grapples with Billy Jack Haynes.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrasslin-back-in-the-day-september-1985-part-one/
September of 1985 sees...
- A legendary baseball announcer is rumored to join the WWF's new venture into PPV
- Hillbilly weddings are all the rage!
- Roddy Piper hosts a CBS primetime special full of stars from music, wrestling, sports and TV.
- Hulk Hogan is injured. What top heels nearly were earmarked for "replacing" the Hulkster on top?
- A talent swap amongst managers leads to a dramatic gimmick change for a former championship contender.
- A Hall of Famer makes his final in ring appearance at nearly 70 years of age...in a cage match no less!
- Gagne and Crockett bring a cavalcade of stars to battle Vince in several cities.
- The WWF squanders their new hot Montreal talent almost right away.
- A former AWA World champ made a surprise one off appearance at MSG.
- Roddy Piper and Bruno kick off their hot feud.
- Despite featuring the AWA and NWA world champions, among other mega stars, the NWA branch of St. Louis wrestling is dealt a final death blow by Vince McMahon's maneuvering.
September of 1985 sees...
- A legendary baseball announcer is rumored to join the WWF's new venture into PPV
- Hillbilly weddings are all the rage!
- Roddy Piper hosts a CBS primetime special full of stars from music, wrestling, sports and TV.
- Hulk Hogan is injured. What top heels nearly were earmarked for "replacing" the Hulkster on top?
- A talent swap amongst managers leads to a dramatic gimmick change for a former championship contender.
- A Hall of Famer makes his final in ring appearance at nearly 70 years of age...in a cage match no less!
- Gagne and Crockett bring a cavalcade of stars to battle Vince in several cities.
- The WWF squanders their new hot Montreal talent almost right away.
- A former AWA World champ made a surprise one off appearance at MSG.
- Roddy Piper and Bruno kick off their hot feud.
- Despite featuring the AWA and NWA world champions, among other mega stars, the NWA branch of St. Louis wrestling is dealt a final death blow by Vince McMahon's maneuvering.
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2013
- Messages
- 916
- Reaction score
- 174
http://culturecrossfire.com/wrestling/wrestling-back-in-the-day-september-1985-part-2/
September 1985 continues on with....
- The Road Warriors no show an ESPN TV taping as their AWA run careens towards a bitter end.
- A long running feud ends with a peep, not a bang.
- SuperClash 85 proves to be the promotional high point for Pro Wrestling USA.
- PWUSA nearly falls apart as Gagne and Crockett argue over money and talent.
- A top heel faction loses a match to a midget.
- The WWF books a mega match, and brings in Mr. T to try and sink their competition in a head to head matchup.
- Jerry Lawler and Ric Flair headline a huge show. The backstage drama involved in booking this main event caused enough heat that no rematch was ever signed.
- The WWF invades Jerry Jarrett's territory, with Roddy Piper on top. Would the southern wrasslin' fans embrace or rebuke the Yankee promotion?
- Bill Watts loses the booker who sparked one of the hottest periods of business for Mid-South.
September 1985 continues on with....
- The Road Warriors no show an ESPN TV taping as their AWA run careens towards a bitter end.
- A long running feud ends with a peep, not a bang.
- SuperClash 85 proves to be the promotional high point for Pro Wrestling USA.
- PWUSA nearly falls apart as Gagne and Crockett argue over money and talent.
- A top heel faction loses a match to a midget.
- The WWF books a mega match, and brings in Mr. T to try and sink their competition in a head to head matchup.
- Jerry Lawler and Ric Flair headline a huge show. The backstage drama involved in booking this main event caused enough heat that no rematch was ever signed.
- The WWF invades Jerry Jarrett's territory, with Roddy Piper on top. Would the southern wrasslin' fans embrace or rebuke the Yankee promotion?
- Bill Watts loses the booker who sparked one of the hottest periods of business for Mid-South.
